Giving Insulin Injections

How to Give your Dog or Cat Insulin Injections

Step 1: Match the insulin type to the syringe: U-100 syringes with U-100 insulin; U-40 syringes with U-40 insulin.

Step 2: Remove the 2 protective caps located on the plunger and the needle.

Step 3: Gently mix the vial of insulin until all the crystals are suspended. Do not shake the bottle as this could damage the insulin crystals.

Step 4: Pass the needle through the rubber stopper on the top of the mixed vial of insulin. Keep the needle in the vial then turn the vial upside down and pull back on the plunger. Gopast the prescribed dose. Make sure that the tip of the needle is in the liquid and not the air inside the vial.
Step 5: Tap the syringe to move any air bubbles toward the needle and push the air back into the vial. Stop when the top of the stopper is at the line for the prescribed dose.
Step 6: Carefully remove the needle from the vial. Be sure not to touch the needle.
Step 7: Gently pinch and pull up a portion of your pet’s skin on either side of the spine at the shoulder blades or further back. The pinched skin should make a “tent.” Try to use a slightly different location with each injection.
Step 8: Hold the “tent” with one hand and the syringe with the other. Keep the syringe level with the surface of the body and pass the needle into the base of the “tent.”
Step 9: Push on the plunger to administer the insulin. Pull the needle out of the skin and carefully place entire syringe into a Sharps container. Step 10: Feel the injection site for wetness as this may indicate the insulin was not injected into the body. Do not repeat doses of insulin, but note the possible missed dose on your calendar.

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